PROMONTORY, Utah (ABC4) — Emergency crews responded to a rural Northrop Grumman facility in Box Elder County after an explosion decimated the building early Wednesday morning, leaving what remains burning in a fire.
Deputy Chief Kade Palmer with the Box Elder County Sheriff’s Office said the explosion took place around 7:30 a.m. on April 16. In a press release posted to social media, the Box Elder County Sheriff’s Office said there were no injuries or fatalities at this time.
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(Courtesy: Box Elder County Sheriff’s Office)
(Jeff Lambright/KTVX)
“However, as with all ongoing investigations, details may change,” the Sheriff’s Office said. “There is no further information available for release at this time.”
One family member of a Northrop Grumman employee spoke with ABC4, saying she received a text right away from her brother-in-law saying that he was safe — even before she heard the news.
Another said he reached out to his dad as soon as he saw the smoke.
“I seen some smoke, and then I sent a text to my dad ’cause he works out there, and by the time that text went through I heard the explosion,” local resident Tyler Freeze said. “It actually felt like the motor blew up in the truck.”
The explosion comes after several complaints about the facility were filed with the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration over the past several years. The reports included health violations, accidents, and safety complaints.
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It is currently unclear what caused the explosion but the building appears to be a complete loss.
In one incident, two employees died after they were found unconscious at the facility in early 2023. The death was caused by argon gas which officials said suffocated them. While their deaths were ruled as accidents, OSHA filed 13 citations related to the incident fining the company more than $172,000.
The citations were deemed “serious” in nature, and related to respiratory protections and permit-required confined spaces.
Nate Larsen contributed to this story.
